INTERVIEWS
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic occupies an honorable and glorified place in our
Q: Mr. Ibrahimli, we are celebrating the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. How would you assess the role of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in our country`s history?
A: The establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic is a great and historic event, in which the people of Azerbaijan finally gained independence and freedom, which was sought for centuries. Creation of the Azerbaijani state contributed to the spread of the republic as a form of government in the Muslim world.
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established as the first democracy in the Muslim world. Not only a true multi-party republican form of government was created, but it also extended the suffrage to all persons, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or gender, becoming the first country in the Muslim world to give voting rights to women, even ahead of such advanced western democracies as the United States and the United Kingdom. It guaranteed freedoms of expression, assembly and religion, among many other liberties to the citizens of Azerbaijan.
The founders of the republic did a great job, and the people of Azerbaijan have a great respect for their memory.
In two years the republic fell, and Azerbaijan lost its independence. After that the Soviet period began, which lasted 70 years. Despite this, the development process in Azerbaijan continued. However, in the 70 years under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, there was a large-scale creative work in the country.
Q: What can you say of the activities of the parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic?
A: The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first parliamentary republic in the east. The law on the formation of the Azerbaijan Parliament was adopted on 19 November 1918. The National Council, which consisted of 44 Azerbaijanis, stopped its work in Ganja on 17 June 1918 and resumed work under the chairmanship of Mammed Emin Rasulzadeh. The National Council decided to form a Parliament of 120 people. The Parliament was to consist of 80 Azerbaijanis and representatives of other nations according to their proportion in the population. But the Armenians and others, who did not want the independence of Azerbaijan, did not participate in the activity of the Parliament. The last assembly of the Parliament was held on 27 April 1920. The Parliament held 155 meetings, ten of them while the National Council was still operating from 27 May to 19 November 1918, and the other 145 from 7 December 1918 till 27 April 1920. The Parliament discussed more than 270 draft laws, 230 of which were adopted. There were 11 factions in Parliament. The chairman of Parliament was Alimardan bey Topchubashov, and his deputies were Hasan bey Agayev and Mammadyusif Jafarov.
Q: How is the history of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic researched today?
A: After the second independence in 1991, Azerbaijanis started learning history and the legacy of the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and celebrate the May 28th as the National Independence Day. This day is also being celebrated by Azerbaijani communities across the world. For example, Azerbaijan Society of America has been holding flag raising ceremonies in New York City for many years.Azerbaijan was presented to the president of the USA. The government of the USA noted that cooperation with Azerbaijan would be effective.
Q: We would also like to learn your views on the development and success of present-day Azerbaijan?
A: Thanks to its rapid development rate in the past few years, Azerbaijan has become the regional leader, and strengthened its position on the international arena. The last year too saw Azerbaijan ensure development in all spheres of life. I would like to emphasize that Azerbaijan`s maintaining sustainable development rate against the background of economic and political problems in the world is a very unique event. At the same time, Azerbaijan managed to preserve socio-political stability and established new mechanisms of increasing effectiveness of administration. During the discussions over the report of the Cabinet of Ministers, the MPs praised measures and steps taken to boost the country`s development. The session heard some proposals on further development of the country.
The speeches during the session also proved that considerable work has been done to increase the effectiveness administration in the country. It is the result of President Ilham Aliyev`s successful and wise policy, the execution of state programs, and the application of effective mechanisms.